Breast-cutter excavating-machine



J. C. FRENCH.

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FFLED HOV. ISIS. 1 ,flgl latente eb. 1920.

l0 SHEETS-SHEE l.

l I. c. FreNcH.

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, I9l3.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

1o SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. FRENCH.

BREAST GUTTER EXCAV/mm3 MACHINE.

APPLICATIO-N FILED NOV. 6. l9l3.

Patented Feb. 3

l0 SHEETSvSHEE 3- I. C, FRENCH,

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 6. 1913.

1,329,591 Patented Feb. 3,1920.

10 SHEETS SHEE 4- //Z Ew@ y Jg Y 6' i @JL o, l ,/55 g 5 l o f//v J. C. FRENCH. BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. ISIS. 1,329,591 Patented Feb. 3,1920.

I0 SHEETSSHEEI 5- J. C. FRENCH.

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Nov, s. I9Is.

Patemd Eek. 3, 1920.

l0 SHEETS-SHEEI J. C. FRENCH.

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVATING MACHINE.

APPLICATIUN FILED NOV. 5.19l3.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Patented Feb. 3,1920.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

lm. l m "Nh 7/0 i. C. FRENCH.

BMAST CUTTER EXCAV/WING MACHINE.

PPUCATION FILED NOV. 5, X913- aemed Feb. 3,1920.

l0 SHEES---SHIEI 9.

A, www

J. C. FRENCH.

sims sum1.

XCM/ATNG WIACHIN APPLICATION FRED NOV, 5.1913.

Vl. C. FRENCH.

BREAST CUTTER EXCAVAUNG MACHINE.

FPLICATION FILED NOV. 6. i913.

v Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

IO SHEETS-SHEET l0,

UNITED STA ES I )ATENT FFICE.

JAMES C. FRENCH, OF KENOSI-Il., WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK C. AUSTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

1,329,591. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 3, 1920, Application filed November 6, 1913. Serial No. 799,435.

70 @Zlio/vomit may conce/1in.' the discharge side of the machine, showing Be it kiioivn that I, Jaiiiis C. FRENCH, a certain portions thereof broken aivay to 55 citizen oi the United States of America, and bring interior parts into view. resident or' Kenosha, Kenosha county, `Wis Fig. 3a is a similar vieW of the operating coiisin, have invented a certain neiv and .useside of the said machine, being a section ul Improvement in Breast-Cutter Excavattaken vertically through the ground immeing-Machines, oi which the following is a diately in advance oi' the excavating appa- 60 specification. ratus.

My invention relates to excavators of that Fig. al is a plan, on the same scale as Fig. particular kind in which the excavating ap- 3, of the said discharge side of the machine. para-tus 'is adapted to operate While the en- Fig. il is a similar view of the operating tire excavator is moving ahead in the direcside of the machine, showing certain por- 65 tion oit the ditch, the said apparatus having tions thereof in horizontal section. provisions for operating on the breast of Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line the ditch, as ive-ll on each side thereof, in Fig. 3H. whereby it is not necessary to alternately Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of one raise and lower the said apparatus during ot the excavating buckets. 70 the progress or the work, inasmuch as the Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the said excavating operation and the `forward mobucket in carrying position. tion of the excavator' are necessarily, in a Fig. S is a similar view showing said breast cutting excavator, carried on at one bucket in dumping position.

and the saine time, and Without the necessity Fig. 9 is a` section on line 9 9 in Fig. G. 75 o'l stopping the operation of said apparatus Fig. 10 is an enlarged side eleva-tion ot' to permit the excavator to advance in the one of the cutters by which t-he sloping sides desired direction. of the vbank are formed.

Generally stated the object of my inven- Fig. ll is a front elevation of the cutter tion is to provide a novel and eiiicient eXca shown in Fig. 10. 30 vater of the 'foregoing general character. Fig. 1Q is a plan ot the tivo endless series ii special object is to provide an excavator 'of excavating devices and cutters, show-ing iior general purposes, such as making ditches, the Wheel on which the link belts are sup4- etc., but which can also be used to advanported, together with adjacent portions oi' tage, Without loss of time, in cleaning out the 'traine on which the Wheel is supported. 85 old ditches. Fig. l?) is an enlarged detail section on It is also an object to provide certain c eline l3-13 in Fig. 5. l tails and combinations tending to increase Fig. lll is a vertical section on line ll-lef the general eiliciency of an excavator ot this inrFig. 3. particular character. Fig. l5 is a detail section on line l5-15 9o i To these andother useful ends, my inin `Fig. 3.

vention consists in matters hereinafter set F ig. 1G is `a similar section on line 1(3-16 Forth and claimed. in Fig. c

ln the accompanying drawings: Figs. li and 18 are vertical sections on li`i0ure l is a iront elevation of a breast line 17-18 in Fig. looking in opposite di- 95 cutting excavating machine embodying the rections.

principles oil. my invention, showing the eX- Fig. 19 is a vertical section on line 19-l9 cai/'ating apparatus thereof in position i'or in Fig. 5.

operation, and illustrating the manner in As thus illustrated, my invention coniuhich the ditch is formed with sloping prises a body trame A supported by rela- 100 imma tively ivide and double flanged car Wheels a Fig. 2 is a similar vieiv, but showing the and relatively narroiv and double ianged said lexcavating apparatus, including the. 'Wheels u?, the ornier traveling on a double# breast cutting devices, raised out of Working rail B, and the latter on the single rail C, position. Y said Wheels being arranged in parallel rows. 105

Fig. Ji is an enlarged front elevation of rEhe roiv composed oit the Wheels a is located the buckets c12 and carried across the inachine to the other side thereof. rlhus the excavating buckets serve also as an elevator or conveyor to carry the dirt over to the spoil bank, or to a wagon or car waiting .to receive the discharge.

The apparatus for raising and lowering the breast cutting, excavating and elevating devices comprises a pair of booins H disposed at opposite sides of the beains E and held in an elevated position by braces or sta-y rods 7L fastened to the fraine F at the other side of of the body. rl`he raising and lowering cables h1 are arranged to travel over sheaves 71.2 at the upper ends of the boon'is, thence down and around the block and tackle 71,3, on the beain D, one for each beain, then upward and over the block and tackle 7i4c on the booins, and then down to fastenings on the block and tackle below. This, of course, provides a very powerful. raising and lowering apparatus, and serves as a ineans for carrying the breast cutting and excavating devices in an elevated position (see Fig. 2). The flexibility and arrangement of the link belts c perniits the beanie D and associated elenients to be raised and lowered in this inanner.

Referring to Fig. l2, which is a diagraininatic plan of the breast cutting and excavating apparatus, it will bc seen that when the machine is inoving ahead in the direction indicated by the arrows, the wheel knives ety work on the breast of the ditch, (see Fig. 5) thus taking the brunt of the work. Closely following the said knives are cutters g, which operate 'transversely of the ditch, and which have plow steel edges. These cutters do seine breast cutting work theinselves, inasmuch as they project beyond the wheel, and thereby not only act on the inclined surfaces of the ditch, but also press forward in the direction of travel of the inachine, thus trinnning the sides of the ditch the excavator nioves along. rllhe knives es are of plow steel and are firmly the wheel at an angle which gives thein a rake over the cut; and with the stiffeners c1t set at an angle also (see Ll and 5) the wheel has a boriiig as well as a slicing action while down in the ground and moving ahead. The :alle (73 has a thrust bearing @15 at the rear end thereof, whereby the lains are communicated to the fraine confiprising the l'icains D, and to the braces dt, thus avoiding the necessity of heavy construction. Finally, and after the dirt has been left to the rear by the cutters g, the buckets cl2 take up the dirt and carry it to the other side of the machine, these buckets beingarranged to travel back and forth across the ditch, iinniediately behind said teinplet chains G, thus cleaning the ditch as fast as the work progresses. By referring to Fig. 3a it will be seen that the axis of the wheel E is iinbolted to inediately above the ground level while the machine is at work. T he wheels g3 are also above the ground at this tiine.

rEhe power for operating the niachine, and for propelling the saine along the track, is furnished by the engine l, of any suitable character, mount-cd on the forward portion of the body frarne. (See Figs. and ld.) For the broader purpose of iny invention, the transmission of power froin this engine to the link belts c, and to the wheels a. and al, and to the raising and lowering cables 7&1, niay be of any suitable, known or approved character. As a n'iatter of further and special improvement, however', the transmission to said wheels a includes a inain drive shaft l which extends transversely of the inachine, below the platform, and in the plane of the axes of said wheels. A plurality of the wheels at each side of the inachine are connected by sprocket chains j and jl 'ith said shaft J, in any suitable nianner, said shaft being in turn suitably connected with the engine. The longitudinally disposed sha-ft is driven. by the engine, and is suitably connected to drive the sprocket wheel jg, disposed below said shaft. rllhis sprocket wheel jg, is in turn connected by a sprocket chain jt with the sprocket wheel on the end of the shaft f4, whereby the long carrier chains care driven in the required manner. A pair of drains l, driven by the engine in any suitable manner, have the raising and lowering cables 7L1 wound thereon, said cables being arranged to travel on sheaves 71.1 and 71? disposed in position to rotate about vertical axes. Vith this arrangeinent the said raising and lowering cables are operated to raise and lower the eXca-va ing apparatus. lt will be understood, of course, that the gearing and clutches necessary for controlling the various instrunientalities, whereby the rotation of the wheels a and c1 inav be reversed and started and stopped, and whereby the winding druins l 'ray be controlled to wind up or pay out the cables, can be of any suitable, known or approved character. rlChis is also true of the gearing and clutches whereby the operation of the chains c is started and .stopped and reversed, as occasion inay require. Such gea-ring and clutches are coininon in niachines of this kind and do not require any detailed description thereof.

.She inode of operation is as follows: rEhe tracks B `and C having been properly laid along one side of the course to be fol.- lowed by the proposed ditch, the ina/chine then brought into position, as shown in Fig. 2. with the excavating apparatus in the elevated position shown. VEhe engine havbeen started, the transmission is then coi trolled in a manner to operate the chains c in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, and at the same time the cables 7&1

are gradually paid out, whereby the ericavating apparatus is caused to gradually sink into the ground. lllhen the required depth is reached, as shown in Fig. 3a, the transmission from the engine is then controlled for the purpose olf operating the supporting wheels u, and al, with the result that the wheel E bores and cuts its way through the ground, leaving a channel of the required depth behind. i-.t the same time, and as previously stated, the cutters g are operating, and this serves to trim and shape the sides of the ditch, causing` the saine to have sloping, or flaring banks, as shown in Fig. l. The dil thus cut away is left behind the teinplet chains G, as the machine moves ahead, and all of this loose dirt is taken up by the buckets @12 and carried to the other side of the machine. llhen the end of the ditch is reached the excavatingapparatus is again raised to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the machine can then be backed or driven ahead without operating the excavating apparatus.

A breast cutting excavating machine of the loregoing character and construction can be used for various purposes. F or ei;- ample it can be used for cleaning out old ditches without any loss of time, inasmuch as the buckets do not have to be raised and lowered in order to permit the machine to travel forward. inasmuch the buckets travel from the ditch to the point ot discharge, it follows that the presence of water and mud in the ditch will not interfere with the operation of the machine, as the loaded buckets will pass upwardly through the housing or mud shield f to the point of discharge at the other side of the machine. In other words, the eXcavateu material is taken out of the ditch and discharged on the spoil bank by one and the same means and by one and the saine operation. Conso quently, andas stated, the presence of water and mud in the ditch will not interfere with the operation of the machine, inasmuch as the buckets do not discharge their loads until they reach the discharge point over the spoil bank.

Preferably, the construction of the inachine is such that the center of gravity is somewhere between the wheels or traction rollers u, and al, thus insuring against npsetting` of the machine; also, and byY reason of the use of positive tracks and double flanged vlieels or rollers, the slnnving` action or side thrust to which the machine is subject while in operation will not derail or twist the machine out of position, as it is firmly and securely held to its desired path of travel. is the wheels or traction rollers are driven at front and rear of the machine, and at diiierent points along the rails, the traction,` afforded thereby is very powerful and amply sullicient to keep the excavating Vway the bottoni and apparatus moving forward through the iniiiiiiil.y even though the latter may be hard or stony in character.

ll/ith further respect to the steady advancement of the machine, while the eX- cavatinl apparatus is in operation, and without the necessity of raising` the same out of the ditch until the end thereoi'.`I is reached, it may be found desirable to provide a shield or scraper L in rear of the carrier buckets cl2, the said shield or scraper being` suitably secured to the fran.- ing el), and being; of such shape that its edges contorni to the cross sectional contour of the ditch. lllith this provision any loose dirt left behind by the excavating' and carrier buckets cl2 will be shifted foruf'ard by the said shie` l or scraper L, and in this the sides of the ditch will he left with clean and smooth surfaces the nachine travels along.

lll ith l'urther reference to the adjusting devices (fl, it will be seen that these are useful in various ways. For example, and when the exea ating)q apparatus including' the wheel li is ra sed or lowered to var7 the depth of the viiltch, these adjusting devices are then available for the purpose of insuring the saine angle for the banks at opposite sides of the ditch. is shown in Fig. l, the said excavating' apparatus is operating at a certain depth. Suppose, however, that ditch of depth is desired and that for ihis purpose the sad excavating apparatus is raised to the desired position. ln such case, and after the beams and wheel E have been brought to the required position, it will be found that the outer side of the ditch is being formed with a more vertical bank than the inner side-that is to say, that the outer side of the ditch is quite steep, whereas the side of the ditch adjacent the machine is Quite sloping?. .ln order, therefore, to counteract this inequality in the angles of. the sides or banks of the ditch, the adjusting devices gt are operated in such manner as to shift the shafts g1 toward the outer side of the ditch l vay frein the side of the inachine, whereby t hains G are adjusted or regulated to cause the, two sides of the bank to have the same angle. ln a similar manner, and should the depth for the ditch be greater than thut shown in Fig. l, it would then he necess ry to operate the devices (f1 in such a mani er that the shafts g1 will be moved bodily toward the machine, and away troni the outer side ot the ditch. thereby causng' the inner side of the ditch to have the saine slope or angle the outer side thereof. l

rlhe wheel E may be secured to the raxle d, as shownin the drawings, whereby the said axle will revolve in the bearings d2 in the nie-nner shown anddescribed. l-lbwever, and ifjV desired, the-said` axle may be held stationary, and the wheel can then revolve on the axle, inasmuch as the power is transferred directly to the Wheel, and not through the axle to the Wheel.

Referring to Fig'. 5, it will be seen that the knives ci are inclined rearwardlyY their nter ends, so that the bank or breast or the excavation against which the Wheel is Workin," is inclined slightly iiiorwai'd. liso, these knives, it Will be seen, are preferably long enough to extend to the lnittcln or the ditch, and the carryingl buckets cl2, as Well as the bottomless buckets g simply vvork in the loose dirt and serve to smooth and i'inish the hottom and sides or the ditch. As shown, said buckets are mounted on sprocket chains or endless belts, but in a general Way these buckets are carried by the Wheel, and 1 do not limit myself to the enact construction shown and described.

`What l claim as my invention is:

1. An excavating machine Alior making ditches, comprising a Wheel, a iframe 'for sup porting said Wheel iior rotation about a horizontal axis, apparatus 'for moving` said trame up and down, devices ttor detachifngthe dirt Vfrom the breast or'. the ditch, disposed on the iiace of said Wheel, a traveling bodyT .for carrying' the Wheel iforivard in the direction oii said axis, to croivd the said devices against the breast ci? the ditch, means for providing' the ditch with sloping sides, mounted to 'travel around said Wheel, and instrumentalities 'for carrying' aivav the loose dirt from behind said means.

2. An excavating` machine for making ditches, as speciiied in claim 1, and mechanisinr 'for opcfatinp; said instrumentalities, serving' to rotate said Wheel.

3. 15in excavatin machine for making ditches, as specified in claim 1, and idlers ttor sinyporting said means at opposite since oi the whcei, carried on said trame.

4. .sin excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and a scraper disposed hehind said instrnmcntalities, conforming` to the sides and bottom of the ditch.

fin excavating' machine iior making ditches, as woeciiied in claim 1, and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in iront and rear of said Wheel, operative to shii't said means cross- Wise or the ditch.

(i. in excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim 1, said means including an endless series of cutters, sprocket chain s iior said cutters, and sprocket rines 'for operating; said chains, forming part oif said Wheel.

7, in excavating); machine :for making ditches, as specified in cia'im 1, and mecha.-

'tor operating; sed instrnmentalities, sei .in to rotate said Wheel, said means includinpan endless. ot cutters, sprocket chains Ior said cutters, and sprocket rings for operating said chains, forming part of said Wheel.

8. rin excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim 1, and idlers Yfor ssupporting` said means at opposite sides or the Wheel, carried on said iframe, said ineanfs including,` an endless series or cutters, rocket chains said cutters, and sprocket s ttor operating` said chains, forming part of said wheel.

rin excavating machine for making ditches, as speciiied in claim 1, and a scraper dispi'ised behind said instruinentalities conming; to lthe sides and bottom or the ditch, said means including an endless series oi' cette sprocket chains for said cutters, and sprocket ri L for operating said chains, 'forming part oif said Wheel.

10. 15in eicaif' ting machine 'for making ditches, as speciied in claim 1, and 1nechanism 'for adjusting said means, supported on said iframe in iront and rear of said Wheel, operative to shift said means crosswise of the di ch, said means including an endless series or cutters, sprocket chains for said cutters, and sprocket gs iior operating` said chains, iorming part o.,v aid Wheel.

11. An excaofating` machine for making,- ditches, as speciiied in claim 1, said instrumentalities including; sprocket chains eX- tending across the said body, huckcts on said chains, operative to carry the dirt 'from the ditch and discharge the same on to the spoil han r at the other side oi' the body, and elements for engaging said chains, secured to aid wheel.

i2. in excavating; macl'iine for making "'t zhes', as specified in claim 1, and mechai Afor operating` said instrumentaiities, serving' to rotate said Wheel, said instrunienl'nlities including' sprocket chains extending' across the said body, buckets on said chains, operative to cari?7 the dirt from the ditch and c'scharge the same on to the spoil. bank at the other side ci? the body, and elements enga,.,.ng sali chains, secured to said Wheel.

13. [in excavating; machine 'for making ditches, speciiied in claim 3. and idlers for supporting; l means at opposite'sides oit the Wheel, carried on said frame, said instrumcntalities includi sprocket chains eX- tendine; across said hody, buckets on opemtL to cari-v the dirt from discharge the :rime on to the the other side oit the bodjv, and said chains, secured dirt from the ditch and discharge the same on to the spoil bank at the other side of the body, and elements for engaging said chains, secured to said wheel.

l5. An excavating machine for makingl ditches, as specified in claim l, and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in front and rear of said wheel, operative to shift said means crosswise of the ditch, said instrumentalities includingI sprocket chains extending' across the said body, buckets on said chains, operative to carry the dirt from the ditch anc discharge the same on to the spoil bank at the other side of the body, and elements for engaging said chains, secured to said wheel.

16. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, said means being disposed immediately in rear of said devices, and said wheel havingarovisions for driving' said means.

17. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specied in claim l, and mechanism for operating said instrumentalities, serving to rotate said wheel., said means being disposed immediately in rear of said devices, and said wheel having provisions for driving said means.

18. An excavating machine for making;` ditches, as specified in claim l, and idlers for supporting said means at opposite sides of the wheel, carried on said frame, said means being disposed innnediately in rear of said devices, and said wheel having provisions for driving said means.

19. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and a scraper disposed behind said instrmnentalities, conforming to the sides and bottom of the ditch, said means being disposed immediately in rear of said devices, and said wheel having provisions for driving said means.

.A n excavating; machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l. and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in front and rear of said wheel, operative to shift said means crosswise of the ditch, said means being disposed innnediatelv in rear of said devices, and said wheel having provisions for driving said means.

2l. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, said frame being' piv'oted on the said body, and said instrumentalities including an endless series of buckets arranged to travelY back and forth above the axis about which the said frame swings up and down.

22. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and mech a-nism for operating said instrumentalities, serving to rotate said wheel. said frame being pivoted on the said body, and said in strumentalities including an endless series of buckets arranged to travel back and forth above the axis about which the said frame swings up and down.

23. in excavating` machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and idlers for supporting said means at opposite sides of the wheel, carried on said frame, said frame being pivoted on the said body, and said instrumentalities including an endless series of buckets arranged to travel back and forth above the axis about which the said frame swings up and down.

2d. in excavating machine for i'naking eitches, as specified in claim l, and a scraper disposed behind sain instrumentalities, conforming to the sides and bottom of the ditch, said fraine being pivoted on the said body, and said instrumentalities including an endless series of buckets arranged to travel back and forth above the axis about which the said frame swings up and down.

25. An excavating machine for making` ditches, as specified in claim l, and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in front and rear of said wheel, operative to shift said means cross-- wise of the ditch, said frame being pivoted on the said body, and said instrumentalities including` an endless series of buckets arranged to travel back and forth above the axis about which the said frame swings up and down.

26. An excavating machine for making` ditches, as specified in claim l, said instrumentalities including a series of excavating buckets extending around the wheel and upward therefrom to a point over the spoil bank at the other side of the body.

27. An excavating machine for making ditches. as specifiedin claim l, and mechanism for operating said instrumentalities, servingl to rotate said wheel, said instruinentalit-ies including a series of excavating' buckets extending around the wheel and upward therefrom to a point over the spoil bank at the other side of the body.

28. An excavating machine for making' ditches, as specified in claim l, and idlers for supporting said means at opposite. sides of the wheel, carried on said frame, said instrumentalities including` a series of excavating` buckets extending` around the wheel and upward therefrom to a. point over the spoil bank at the other side of the body.

29. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and a scraper disposed behind said instrumentalities conforming to the sides and bottom of the ditch. said instrumentalities including a series of excavating buckets extending around the wheel and upward therefrom to a point over the spoil bank at the other side of the body,

30. An excavating machine for making ditches. as specified in cla-im l, and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in trent and rear of said wheel, operative to shii't said means crossivise oi the ditch, said instrumentalities including a series ot excavating buckets extending around the Wheel and npivard therefrom to a point over the spoil bank at the other side oi' the body.

3l. in excavating machine 'for makingl ditches, as specified in claim l, the said o traine including parallel members disposed in front and rear oi' said Wheel, pivoted at their inner ends to said body` connected together at their outer ends, and rollers on the rear member, said wheel having' a ring' track for emqaging1 said rollers.

32. An excavating` machine 'for making ditch is, as specified in claim l, and mechanism for operating said instrumentalities, serving; to rotate said wheel, the said frame zo including' parallel members disposed in trent and rear oi' said Wheel, pivoted at their inner ends to said bodv, connected together at their outer ends, and rollers on the rear member, said Wheel having; a ring track for engaging; said rollers.

An excavating machine `or making; ditches as specilied in claim l, and idlers for supporting' said means at opposite sides ot the wheel. carried in said trame, the said trame including parallel members disp sed in front and rear ot said Wheel.x pivoted at their inner ends to said. bodv, connected together at their outer ends, and rollers on the rear member, said Wheel having; a ring' track for engaging' said rollers.

34 An excavating; machine 'for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and a scraper disposed behind said i vi'mnentalities, contorminfr to the si des and bottom et the ditch, the said trame includine` parallel members dini osed in trent and rear ot said Wheel, pivot-ed at their inner ends to said hodv, connected together at their outer ends. and rollers on the rear member, said wheel hat ine' a ring 'track 'tor engaging;` said rollers.

.an excavating machine 'for making' ditches. as spccihed in claim l. and mechanism for adinsti said trame in trent and ieai or said `veeel. said means crossniise ot wel. piifoied at their inner ,s to coiinectcd toe'ether at their outer (aula, a rollers on the rear meaiber, said ivheil haring' a ring' track for engaging said rollers.

fives set at an an, le 'w' 1 ir inner in milvance ot the f outer ids, a' "i 'for supporting said `res in 'Front said means, secured to .faid Wheel..

in excavating machine for making ditches, as specilied in claim l, and mechanism lor operating said instrumentalities, serving to rotate said Wheel, the said devices comprising knives set at an angle With their inner ends in advance of their outer ends, and brackets for supporting said knives in trent olf sad means, secured to said Wheel. ein excavating machine for making ditches, as specilied in claim l, and idlers Jfor supporting said means at opposite sides oif the Wheel, carried on said frame, the said devices comprising knives set at an angle vwith their inner ends in advance of their outer ends, and liracrets tor supporting said knives in iront ot said means, sec ured to said Wheel.

39. .An excavating, machine tor making' ditches, s speeiied in claim l, and a scraper disnosed behind said instrumentalities, coniforming to the sides and bottom ot the ditch, the said devices comprising knives set at an angle with their inner ends in advance et their outer ends, arl brackets tor sup porting; said knives in front ot said means, secured to said Wheel.

lO. in excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in c aim l, and mechanisin 'for adjusting; said means, supported on said iframe in tront and rear ot said Wheel, operative to shiit said means crossvvise otl the ditch, the said devices comprising knives set at an angle with their inner ends in advance ot their outer ends, and brackets 'for siipporting said knives in trent oit said means, secured to said Wheel.

Lil. in excavating' machine for making' ditches, as specified in claim l., said means incliming an endless sprocket chain operated liv said wheel, and cutters mounted on said chain, said devices describing a circle, and said cutters following; said circle at top and bottom hut havingstraight paths of travel at the sides.

,La-ln excavating machine 'tor making ditches. as specified in claimv l, and mechanism 'For operating' said instrumentalities, serving to rotate said wheel, said means in cludine' an endless sprocket chain operated bv said wheel, and cutters mounted on said chain, said devices describing; a circle, and

said cutters following' said circle at top and bottom, but having' straight paths of travel at the sides.

fin excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim l, and idlers 'for supporting said ineens at opposite sides o' the Wheel, carried on said trame., said means including' an endless sprocket chain operated by said Wheel, and cutters mounted on said chain, said devices describing a circle, and said cutters tolle-Wing said circle at top and bottom. but having; straight paths ci' at the sides.

ad. Ain excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim 1, and a scraper' disposed behind said instrumentalities, conforming' to the sides and bottom or the ditch, said means including' an endless sprocket chain operated by said wheel, and cutters mounted on said chain, said devices describing a circle, and said cutters following said circle at top and bottoni, but having straight paths oi?l travel at the sides.

An excavatingv machine tor making ditches, as speciiied in claim 1, and mechanism 'for adjusting said means, supli'iorted on said iframe in front and rear ot said wheel, operative to shift said means crosswise oli the ditch, said means including an endless sprocket chain operated by said wheel, and cutters mounted on said chain, said devices describing a circle, and said cutters tollen'- ing said circle at top and bottoni, but having straight paths oi" travel at the sides.

L16. An excavating machine for making ditches, as specified in claim 1, said instrumentalities including an excavating' bucket which travels from the ditch to the other side oit the excavator.

17. An excavating; machine for making' ditches, as specified in claim 1, and mechanism for operating said instrumentalitics, serving to rotate said wheel, said instrumentalities including an excavating' bucket which travels trom the ditch to the other l side oi: the excavator'.

d8. An excavating machine tor making' ditches, as specified in claim 1, ti'igethcr with idlers tor supporting' said means at opposite sides ot the wheel, carried on said frame, said instrumentalities including an excavating bucket which travels .'from the ditch to the other side of the excavator.

4 9. An excavating' machine for makina ditches, specified in claim 1, and a scraper disposed behind said instrumentalities, roniiorming' to the sides and bottom ot the ditch, said instrumentalities including an excavating bucket which travels from the ditch to the other side ot' the excavator.

50. An excavating machine tor making' ditches, as speciiied in claim 1, and mechanism for adjusting said means, supported on said frame in iront and rear ot said' wheel, operative to shift said means cross- Wise of the ditch, said instrumentalities including' an excavating' bucket which travels from the ditch to the other side of the excavator.

51. An excavating' machine for making' ditches, specified in claim 1, said instrumentalities extending' across the body, to discharge the dirt a dist-ance from the other side thereof.

52. An excavating' machine tor making' ditches, as specified in claim 1, and mechanism for operating' said instrumentalities, serving to rotate said wheel, said instrumentalities extending across the body to discharge the dirt a` distance from the other side thereof.

53. .ein excavating` machine for makingl ditches, as specified in claim 1, and idlers for supporting said means at opposite sides oi" the wheel, carried on said trame, said insti'umentalities extending across the body, to discharge the dirt a distance `trom the other side thereof.

5%. An excavating machine for making ditches, speciiied in claim 1, and a scraper disposed behind said instrinnentalities, conforming to the sides and bottom of the ditch, said instrumentalities extending' across the body, to discharc'e the dirt a distance Jrom the other side thereof.

55. An excavating machine tor making' ditches, as specified in claim 1, and mechanism for adj usting said means, supported on said traine in iront and rear or' said wheel, operative to shift said means crosswise of the ditch, said instrumentalities extending` across the body, to discharge the dirt a distance from the other side thereof.

56. An excavating` machine for making ditches, comprising a body provided with a laterally extending` trame, digging devices carried on said trame, arranged to work on the breast of the ditch while said body is moving slowly forward, the said body being provided with driving` wheels disposed in a row extending from one end of' the machine to the other, and braces for said fra-ine. diverginp; therefrom to points approximately at the iront and rear ends of said. row of wheels. said row of Wheels being' of a length to resist the backward pressure on said trame and thereby prevent skewing oit the machine.

57. .ifi traveling excavator comprising' a rotary borinpj wheel, means for supporting' said wheel tor rotation about an axis extending in the direction oit travel ot said excavator, breast-cutting' knives on the liront side ot said wheel, 'for detachinp; the dirt which than tails to the bottom of the excavation, an endless series of buckets forming a conveyor which is carried by said wheel to travel across from one side oi the excavation to the other behind said knives,to scoop up said dirt, said buckets thereby serving to smooth the bottom ot the excavation, and power opera-ted mechanism 'for' transmitting power through said convever to rotate said wheel in the ,ground while the excavator is moving' forward.

58. n.. traveling excavator' 'for making a trench. comprising' a rotary boring' wheel, means tor supporting' said wheel for rotation about an axis extending' in the direction ot travel oit said excavator, breast-cutting knives on the iront side of said wheel, 'tor detaching the oirt which then falls to the bottom of the excavation, and an endless wheel for rotation about an axis extending in the direction of travel oif' said excavator, breast-cutting knives on the front side of said wheel, for detaching the dirt which then falls to the bottom of the excavation, and an endless series of buckets carried by 4said wheel to travel across from one side of the excavation to the other behind said knives, to scoop up said dirt, said buckets thereby serving to smooth the bottom of the excavation, said buckets being constructed to dump their loads when turned upside down, and mechanism for operating said series of buckets to operate said wheel in the ground while the excavator is moving forward.

60. A traveling ex-cavator comprising a boring wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side of the path of travel and mounted to rotate about an axis extending longitudinally of the ditch, means on the front side of said wheel for cutting the dirt away on the breast of the ditch, devices carried by the wheel for shaping the sides and smoothing the bottom of the excavation and taking up the loose excavated dirt from the bottom of the ditch, said devices including one or more excavating buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and op` erating in the ground immediately behind said means, mechanism for operating said bucket or buckets and thereby driving the wheel, said means extending downward the full depth of the ditch to cut the dirt away directly in front of said devices, and means traveling on the upper surface of the ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving the wheel ahead during the operation thereofin the ground.

6l. An excavator comprising a boring wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side of the path of travel and mounted to rotate,about a longitudinally extending axis,

knives on the front side of said wheel for cutting the dirt away on the breast of the ditch, devices carried by the wheel for shaping the sides and smoothing the bottom of the excavation and taking up the loose excavated dirt from the bottom of the dit-ch, mechanism for operating said devices and thereby driving the wheel, said knives extending downward the full depth of the ditch to cut the dirt away directly in front of said devices, and means traveling on the upper surface of the ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving the wheel ahead during the operation thereof in the ground, said devices including an endless series of excavating buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and operating on the ground immediately behind said knives.

G2. An excavator comprising, a boring wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side of the path of travel and mounted to rotate about an axis extending ahead of the ditch, means on the front side of said wheel for cutting the dirt away on the breast, devices carried byl the wheel for shaping the sides and smoothing the bottom of the exea vation and taking up the loose excavated dirt from the bottom of the ditch, said devices including one or more excavating buckets arranged to travel from one side of,

the ditch to the other and operating in the ground immediately behind said means, inechanisinfor driving the wheel, said means extending downward the full depth of the ditch to cut the dirt away directly in front of said devices, means traveling on the yupper surface of the ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving the wheel ahead during the operation `thereof in the f ground, and instrumentalities for bodily raising and lowering said wheel.

G3. An excavator comprising a boring wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side of the path of travel and mounted to rotate about a longitudinally extending axis, means on the front side of said wheel y for cutting the dirt away on the breast of the ditch, devices carried by the wheel for shaping the sides and Smoothing the bottom of the excavation andY taking up the loose excavated dirt from the bottom of the ditch,

said devices including one or more excavat-` ing buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and operating in the ground immediately behind said means, mechanism for operating said bucketsand thereby driving the wheel, said means extending downward the full, depth of the ditch to cut the dirt away directly in front of said devices, means traveling above ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving the wheel ahead during the operation thereof in the ground, and la pivoted support upon which said wheel is mounted, the axis of said wheel and support being parallel.

6ft. An excavator comprising a boring wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at oney the dirt away on the breast of said devices including one or more excavating` buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and operating in the ground irmnediatel-.f behind said means, mechanism for operating said buckets and thereby driving the Wheel, said means eX- tending downward the' full cepth of the ditch to cut the dirt away directly in front of said devices, means traveling on the upper surface ofthe ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving the Wheel aheadV during the operation thereof in the ground, said devices serving to give the ditch a slopingjbank.

65. An excavator comprising a boring Wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side ot` theA path oi'travel, mounted to rotate about a longitudinally extending' axis, means on the frontv` side of said sides and smoothing the bottom of the excavation* and taking up the dirt, said devices includingone or more excavating buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and operating in the ground immediately behind said mechanism for operating said buckets and thereby driving the Wheel, said means extending downward the full depth ot the :ditch to cut the airt away directly in iront of said devices, and means 'raveling on the Lipper surface of the ground at the side of the ditch for supporting and moving` the Wheel ahead during the operation thereof in the ground, said devices being adapted and arranged for giving the ditch a sloping bank.-

66. An excavator comprising a boring Wheel arranged for cutting a ditch at one side of the path ot' travel and mounted to rotate about a longitudinally extending axis, mea-ns` onthe frontside of said Wheel for cutting the dirt away on the breast of the ditch, devices carried by the Wheel -for shape ingthe sides and smoothing the bottom of the excavation and taking up the loose excavated dirt from the bottom of the ditch, said' d'evicesinclluding one ormore excavating; buckets arranged to travel from one side of the ditch to the other and operating in the ground immediately behind said means, mechanism for operating said buckets and thereby driving the Wheel, said means extending downward the full depth of the ditchto eut the dirt aivay directly in front of said devices, means traveling on the uppersurtace ci3 the ground at the side of they ditch for supporting andV moving the Wheel ahead during the operationl thereof, and means whereby saidY Tvheel swings up anddovvn about an axis of said mechanism.

67. A traveling excavator for making a ditch, comprising` a boring Wheel having the axis thereof extendine` in the direction of Wheel for cutting the dirt avvay onk the breast of the ditch, dell c vices carried by the Wheel for shapingvthe means,-

travel, means on the 'front side ot said Wheel tocut alie inthe ground, allowing the eX- cavated .it to tall directly on the ground, a series buckets t'cr scoopiucr the excavated dirt directly from the'ground, operating from one side oi" the ditch to the other distance behind a-nd'lorming no part ot Ysaid means Vbyivhich the Wheel operates on 'she breast et' the excavation, so thatthe breast cutting is performed by said Wheel for the full depth of the excavation and whereby7 said buckets shape the sides and smooth the bottom of the excavation in rear of the cuting operation, devices traveling on the upper surface ot the ground to support and feed the excavator slowly t'oivvardV during the operation thereo'tx in the direction ot the axisl ot saidfuflieel, along a. path ot travelfat one side ot-the ditch, mechanism tofoperate said-Wheel by povver transin'itted` th'F u li said series of buckets, and means to' r ice said Wheel andA buckets outv of the excavation.

68; traveling excavator for making a ditch, comprising a boring Wheel having the axis thereof extending in the direction ot travel, means ony the front side or" said Wheel tocut ahead dirt to fall directly on the ground, a series olf-buckets for scooping the excavated dirt from the ground,op'crat ing from one side ot the ditch to the other a distance bchint and torming no partv ot said means by which the Wheel operates on the breast breast tor the ifull depth ci 'the excavation and Wherebv said buckets shape the sides and smooth the bottom' of the excavation, in rear of the cutting operation, dev'ces traveling on the upper surface of the ground to support and i'eed the excavator slowly for- Ward during the operation .thereof in the direction of the axis of said Wheel, along. a path of travel at one'sideoit the ditch, mechanism to'operate said Wheel by power transmeans including knives inclined backward at their outerA ends, andv said` buckets being disposed immediately behind the outer 'end portions of said knives, and' means to raise said Wheel and buckets out ot the excavation.

G9. A traveling excavator for making a ditch, comprising a boring Wheel having` the axis thereof travel provided, means on the front sidel of said v-yheel to cut'ahead in the ground, allowing the excavated' dirt to fall directly on the ground, la series of buckets for excavated dirty :from the ground, operating from one side of the ditch to the other a dis'- tance behind and forming no part ci said means by vhich the wheel operates on the breast of the excavation so that the breast cutting isv performed by said Wheel for' the mittedthrough said series ot buckets, said of the excavation so that thecutting. is pertovined by saidv Wheel extending in` thedirection of scoopingthe 

